Ensuring a safe and hazard-free environment for welding jobs should be the priority of every welder.
The most important measure for a safe working environment is safety gear. Without these gears, a welder can experience injuries and one of the most common injuries is arc-eye or welder’s flash.
To prevent this, the use of protective eyewear with appropriate shades in welding helmets, glasses, or hand-handling shields is exceptionally important.
In this article, we will explore what is meant by shades in welding and how many shades are used in safety gear for a welding job. Know what shade you need and learn about the shade 14 welding glasses.
What is Meant by Shades in Welding?
In a welding job, intense light radiation is emitted from the welding arc which produces harmful UV and IR radiations. Without safety gear for the eyes, these radiations can cause injuries. Therefore, a welder uses either a welding helmet, glasses, or hand-handling shield equipped with the correct shade of lens.
The number assigned to a shade indicates how much light radiation is allowed to pass through a filter lens to the welder’s eye. If the lens possesses a darker shade, then the shade number is very high, and a lower shade number shows a lighter shade lens.
Range of Shades in Welding
Typically, the range of shades in protective lenses for welding safety gears is 2 to 14. Therefore, choosing the correct shade based on a specific welding task is crucial for better visibility and protection. Selecting the wrong shade in the lens can either lead to a harmful eye injury or poor-quality welding work.
Now the question is how can we identify the correct shade number for welding jobs? In this regard, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers guidelines.
As per OSHA standard 1910.252. under the heading of specifications for protectors, the following guidelines have been provided to select the proper shade for protective lenses of specific welding processes.
| S No | Welding operation | Shade No. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shielded metal-arc welding: 1⁄16″, 3⁄32″,1/8″, 5⁄32″ electrodes | 10 |
| 2 | Gas-shielded arc welding (nonferrous): 1⁄16″, 3⁄32″, 1/8″, 5⁄32″ electrodes | 11 |
| 3 | Gas-shielded arc welding (ferrous): 1⁄16″, 3⁄32″, 1/8″, 5⁄32″ electrodes | 12 |
| 4 | Shielded metal-arc welding: 3⁄16″, 7⁄32″, 1/4″ electrodes | 12 |
| 5 | Shielded metal-arc welding: 5⁄16″, 3/8″ electrodes | 14 |
| 6 | Atomic hydrogen welding | 10 – 14 |
| 7 | Carbon arc welding | 14 |
| 8 | Soldering | 2 |
| 9 | Torch brazing | 3 or 4 |
| 10 | Light cutting, up to 1 inch | 3 or 4 |
| 11 | Medium cutting, 1 inch to 6 inches | 4 or 5 |
| 12 | Heavy cutting, 6 inches and over | 5 or 6 |
| 13 | Gas welding (light) up to1/8 inch | 4 or 5 |
| 14 | Gas welding (medium) 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch | 5 or 6 |
| 15 | Gas welding (heavy) 1/2 inch and over | 6 or 8 |
However, a thumb rule has also been suggested by OSHA fact sheet no. 3499, “Start with a shade that is too dark to see the weld zone. Then, go to a lighter shade which gives a sufficient view of the weld zone without going below the minimum.”
Interesting Fact About Shade 14 Welding Lens
In August 2017, a local television station in the United States of America broadcasted the news that Shade 14 welding masks sold out due to the solar eclipse. This boom in the sale of shade 14 welding masks was the result of a statement from NASA that these masks can be used as the only safe alternative for viewing solar eclipses. So next time you are out of solar eclipse eyewear keep in mind that Shade 14 Welding Lens equipped helmet, glasses, and lens can be used.
Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet
All the above information urges welders to use a welding lens of an appropriate shade number according to the welding task.
To make welding more fun, comfortable, and safe, a Swedish manufacturer Hornell International in the 1980s built the first welding helmet with LCD electronic shutters taking credit for being the inventor of the first Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet.
Auto-darkening welding helmets are designed to do welding jobs more conveniently and with better protection.
This helmet automatically sets the lens at a darker shade when intense light occurs due to the welding arc and adjusts the lens at a lighter shade in the absence of the welding arc. Therefore, it becomes the preferred choice of welders as it allows them to work more comfortably without being worried about flipping up and down the helmet. It also protects them from harmful IR and UV radiations eventually preventing eye injuries.
The intriguing features of the auto-darkening welding lens can really excite welders, but how to choose the best helmet that is budget-friendly and does some pretty cool things? You don’t need to worry about this, here I am listing some hot-selling auto-darkening welding helmets from trusted brands that will obviously make you fall in love with welding more than before.
1) Yeswelder’s LYG-L500A Bright Black
LYG-L500A Black Bright is one of the best budget-friendly products of Yeswelder. It is ideal for moderate welding tasks for hobbyists/novices and offers necessary protection and great comfort. Let’s dig into the features of this model below:
Viewing Area: Offers a sufficient viewing area of 3.64 x 1.67 inches.
Optical Class: Provides premium optical quality of 1/1/1/1, reducing lime green tint.
Lens Shade: DIN 4 /DIN 9~13 offers a wide shade range.
Materials: Provides both affordability and durability with a combination of PP/PA.
UV/IR Protection: DIN 16 shade offers 100% UV/IR protection.
Battery Type: Nonreplaceable lithium ion CR2450 battery with a longer lifespan.
Sensors: Equipped with 2 premium sensors ensuring the smooth detection of the welding arc.
Welding Mode: Great for TIG, MIG, and Stick (MMA).
Included Components: 2 Outer replacement lenses and 1 inner replacement lens.
Switching Time: Instantly switches from light to dark shade in 0.033 milliseconds (1/30000 seconds)
Along with the above features, LGY-L500A Black Bright’s solar-powered feature keeps the auto-darkening filter active, preventing constant battery utilization. However, battery backup is also available to ensure the functionality of the helmet in the absence of solar power.
It fulfills the requirement of safety protocols defined for welding processes in international standards i.e. ANSI Z78.1, EN379 CE, and CSA Z94.3. This model also offers slightly expensive and cheaper variants too, based on additional/fewer features and comfort.
2) Lincoln Electric K3034-4 VIKING 3350
The 4C technology of this auto-darkening welding helmet sets it apart from others. It offers a broader color range and hues in all conditions. Therefore, welders can see what’s happening. It also contains an external shade and grind control. Welders can also set the shade they need without removing the helmet.
Viewing Area: Offers a sufficient viewing area of 12.5 sq inches.
Optical Class: Provides premium optical quality of 1/1/1/1, reducing lime green tint.
Lens Shade: 5~13 offers a wide shade range.
Battery Type: Replaceable coin battery.
Welding Mode: Great for TIG, MIG, and Stick (MMA).
Included Components: Helmet bag, bandana, outside cover lens, inside cover lens, and sticker sheet.
The helmet contains an incredible lens. It offers optimal protection to your eyes with lens sensitivity and delay controls. You can adjust everything according to your own comfort. It is also backed by a 3-year replacement warranty.
The helmet is extremely comfortable. Its headgear is ergonomically designed to work for long hours without any discomfort. It’s easy to slide and adjust as needed.
3) Yeswelder’s LYG-M800H
LYG-M800H is another best but more expensive product of Yeswelder as compared to LGY-L500A Black Bright. It is best suited for novice to professional welders offering great premium features and comfort.
Let’s explore the features below:
Viewing Area: Offers a large viewing area of 3.93 x 3.66 inches.
Optical Class: Provides premium optical quality of 1/1/1/1, reducing lime green tint.
Lens Shade: DIN 4 /DIN 5~9 /DIN 9~13 offers a wide shade range for Grind/Cut/Weld mode.
Materials: Provides both affordability and durability with a combination of PP/PA.
UV/IR Protection: DIN 16 shade offers 100% UV/IR protection.
Battery Type: Replaceable lithium-ion CR2450 battery with a battery life of 3000 Hours.
Sensors: Equipped with 4 premium sensors ensuring the smooth detection of the welding arc.
Welding Mode: Great for TIG, MIG, Stick, and Plasma Applications with a Grinding Feature.
Included Components: 3 replacement lenses, 1 storage bag, and 1 replaced lithium battery.
Switching Time: Instantly switches from light to dark shade in 0.033 milliseconds (1/30000 seconds)
4) TOOLIOM Welding Helmet
It’s an affordable professional welding helmet with an attractive design. It offers a wider viewing area, excellent switching, and optimal comfort. It ensures true colors whether you are welding, cutting, or grinding. It’s also ANSI Z87.1 certified to offer maximum safety.
Viewing Area: Offers a large viewing area of 3.94 x 3.27 inches.
Optical Class: Provides premium optical quality of 1/1/1/1, reducing lime green tint.
Lens Shade: 9-13 weld mode, 5-9 cut mode, and shade 4 grind mode.
UV/IR Protection: DIN 16 shade offers 100% UV/IR protection.
Welding Mode: Great for TIG, MIG, MAG, MMA.
Included Components: 1 replacement battery, 2 replacement outer lenses, and 1 replacement inner lens.
Switching Time: Instantly switches from light to dark shade in 0.033 milliseconds (1/30000 seconds)
5) Yeswelder’s LYG-Q800D
LYG-Q800D is also a great but more expensive product of Yeswelder as compared to both LGY-L500A Black Bright and LYG-M800H. It is an excellent choice for professional welders, welding trainers, hobbyists/novices, and versatile welders, offering great premium features and more comfort.
Viewing Area: Offers a large viewing area of 3.94 x 3.23 inches.
Side View Area: Comes with a DIN 5 non-auto-darkening area of 4.3/1.96 x 4 inches.
Optical Class: Provides premium optical quality of 1/1/1/1, reducing lime green tint.
Lens Shade: DIN 4 /DIN 5~9 /DIN 9~13 offers a wide shade range for Grind/Cut/Weld mode.
Materials: Provides the right mix of durability, comfort, and safety with a combination of ABS & PP.
UV/IR Protection: DIN 16 shade offers 100% UV/IR protection.
Battery Type: Replaceable lithium-ion CR2450 battery.
Sensors: Equipped with 4 premium sensors ensuring the smooth detection of the welding arc.
Welding Mode: Great for TIG, MIG, Stick, and Plasma Applications with a Grinding Feature.
Included Components: 3 replacement lenses, 1 storage bag, and 1 replaced lithium battery.
Switching Time: Instantly switch from light to dark shade in 0.033 milliseconds (1/30000 seconds)
